How Food and Exercise Change Your Genes

People often wonder how food and exercise affect the body. One key player in this process is a substance called β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB). It is made when the body breaks down fats for energy. But BHB does more than just provide energy. It also helps control inflammation, protects the brain, and even changes how genes work. The amount of BHB in the body can change based on what you eat and how active you are. Eating foods with medium-chain fatty acids, fasting, following a ketogenic diet, or exercising moderately can all increase BHB levels. You can also get BHB from supplements, which can quickly raise its levels without strict diet changes.BHB affects genes through a process called lysine β-hydroxybutyrylation (Kbhb). This process changes how genes are read and how proteins function. It is not just limited to genes but also affects other proteins in the body. This helps keep the body balanced and can influence diseases. But how exactly does Kbhb work? Enzymes called histone deacetylases (HDACs) and sirtuins (SIRTs) remove these modifications, while enzymes like E1A-binding protein p300 and CREB-binding protein (p300/CBP) add them. Understanding these processes can help us see how diet and lifestyle affect health.